Tag Archives: Wolverhampton.

Porcupine Tree, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2007

With their latest album barely two weeks old, Porcupine Tree arrived fresh, eager and ready to showcase their new material.

Opening the set to mass applause with their brand new album title track Fear Of A Blank Planet; a dark look at modern-day British youth, they carefully mixed current material, including the stunning My Ashes and the epic Anethetize , with old favourites like Gravity Eyelids and Lightbulb Sun.

Frontman Steve Wilson’s delivery was perfect for the intricate soundscapes deftly created for this show, with touring guitarist and backing singer John Wesley providing superb musical and vocal support.

Porcupine Tree, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(173 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Damien Rice, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2007.

For a while there seemed to be a dearth of young talented singer/songwriters who would struggle to stay the course but thankfully one man defying the trend is Damien Rice.

Welcomed by an enthusiastic capacity crowd, he immediately got fans in the right mood with the stunning Me, My Yoke and I from his latest critically acclaimed album, 9.

He then launched into a set full of moody, though provoking and atmospheric songs such as Woman Like A Man, Accidental Babies and the Incredible Volcano.

Damien Rice, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(134 words, estimated 32 secs reading time)

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2006.

Modern acts could learn a valuable lesson in endurance from the evergreen David Essex, who spurned his advancing years to give a stunning performance.

An appreciative audience cheered and clapped throughout the two-hour show that opened with Beautiful Day from the album of the same name.

After the song Dust To Dust he thrilled the crowd by going back to his roots with Silver Dream Machine, set against a montage of scenes from the film, and perennial favourite Rock On.

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(124 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2005.

For the past 18 months Marillion have been on the road touring with their critically acclaimed album Marbles.

With another set of dates announced, cunningly called The Not Quite Christmas tour, they were in the Midlands to entertain a capacity crowd once again.

With a set combining songs from Marbles and an eclectic mix of tracks from the past 15 years, the audience were treated to a thrilling performance by frontman Steve Hogarth whose energetic efforts on stage would have made younger acts green with envy.

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(157 words, estimated 38 secs reading time)

Magnum, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2004.

It is apt that the resurgence in the popularity of classic guitar rock, Magnum are still around performing and touring with a brand new album, which some have said goes back to their pomp rock roots.

A strong loyal home following was treated to a one hour, 40 minute set which opened with the classic All England’s Eyes. Tracks from the new album initially got a lukewarm welcome, but by the end of Brand New Morning everyone had their arms in the air and there was generous applause.

Magnum, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(187 words, estimated 45 secs reading time)

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2004.

Marillion are one of the most under-rated bands of the past 20 years and they had the crowd at the almost sold out Civic Hall still with anticipation and longing.

During the first hour of the set, which revolved around the current album Marbles, they played the moody and atmospheric Invisible Man, their recent  top ten single You’re Gone and the next release Don’t Hurt Yourself.

Marillion, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(143 words, estimated 34 secs reading time)

Queensryche, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Heat is on

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2008.

It was a sweltering June day but Queensryche still strolled into town and turned up the heat. As the show kicked off with the opening bars of Anarchy X, from the critically acclaimed Operation Mindcrime, it was soon apparent that Queensryche and vocalist in particular, had lost none of their passion and ability.

These were the traits that had pushed the band to the very top of their genre over a decade ago, before regretfully being largely forgotten by the music buying public. As the set list continued through tracks as diverse as Speak, Spreading The Disease and the Haunting Suite Sister Mary the band seemed to step up several gears before coming to Eyes Of A Stranger.

Queensryche, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(160 words, estimated 38 secs reading time)

Divine Comedy, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Fun For Everyone.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. June 2004.

You are never sure what to expect at a Divine Comedy gig-except that you’ll be leaving the venue in a very good mood.

From the outset main man Neil Hannon had the audience in an almost reverential hush as he told them, jokingly, that he had thrown away the set list and was going to do the music in alphabetical order. By kicking off with Absent Friends, from the new album of the same name, Neil set the standard high. From then, until ending the gig on the letter T, he barely put a foot wrong.

Divine Comedy, Gig Review. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(180 words, estimated 43 secs reading time)

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Wulfren Hall, Wolverhampton.

Punks not dead.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. March 2004.

What a pleasure to see the Stranglers back in Wolverhampton, entertaining a packed Wulfrun Hall with selected tracks from the new album Norfolk Coast and well-worn classics that recalled a time when punk rock actually stood for something.

Whilst some of the musicians from the late seventies have tried and failed to become mainstream personalities, The Stranglers have maintained their position of being humorous, energetic and youthful, while growing old disgracefully.

Which fitted with the set list as well through like Peaches, Something Better Change and Golden Brown were interwoven skilfully with new tracks.

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Wulfren Hall, Wolverhampton. full post

(126 words, estimated 30 secs reading time)

Terrorvision, Gig Review. Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 3rd 2011.

There are groups that are sometimes just too good to miss live. The energy, the magnitude of the performance and the sincerity in which they give it, makes it an absolute pleasure to attend, to immerse yourself in and lose any preconceptions you may have whilst all the while losing a couple of pounds in sweat and you take in the infectious lyrics and general good time.

Terrorvision, Gig Review. Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. full post

(445 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)